Arizona Diamondbacks

Let's not joke.  J.J. Putz had an amazing comeback year in 2011, notching 45 saves for the well-built and oiled Arizona Diamondbacks team. 

He even did that while missing most of July on the DL, which we have become accustomed to with J.J. Putz. Even more amazing, he put up 21 saves between August and September. 

Everything about 2011 was amazing—his 2.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a K/9 over 9!  Putz was one of the top closers in baseball for 2011. 

While first base is generally considered among the deepest in all of fantasy sports, things have gotten even better with a recent influx of youngsters at the position.  Among those who have burst onto the scene is the Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt, who made the jump from Double-A to the Majors as a 23 year old (he turned 24 in September) and posted the following line:

It appears that the Arizona Diamondbacks have a different lineup every game. They have players who can play multiple positions and that has given manager Kirk Gibson multiple options to put a winning lineup together.

Now it looks like Gibson has found his new double play combo with shortstop Stephen Drew and the tattoo heavy second baseman Ryan Roberts. 

Standing on the mound at 6'5" and 250 pounds, J.J. Putz is a force on the mound.

He has the prototypical look of a poster child for closers. He’s got the presence, he’s got the size, and most importantly he’s got the stuff.

When he was a closer with the Seattle Mariners from 2006 to 2008, he saved 91 games, recorded a 2.34 ERA, and struck out 242 batters in just 196 1/3 innings.

As a fantasy baseball player, it can be extremely difficult to keep a level head early in the year.

We know guys like Albert Pujols aren’t going to finish the year hitting .200, but what do you make of the players like Arizona Diamondbacks utility man Willie Bloomquist?

If you’re speculating for speed, it would be best to keep an eye on how much playing time the 33-year-old receives.

The Diamondbacks won their first home series of the year, taking two of three from the Cincinnati Reds in games won by offensive outbursts. The Diamondbacks came back twice on Sunday and survived a ninth inning scare to secure the series win.

With the Arizona Diamondbacks, versatility is the key for their lineup and their new general manager Kevin Towers made it a priority during the offseason to supply manager Kirk Gibson with a strong, versatile bench filled with “do what it takes” kind of players who can play any position and are competent as starting players.

Joe Saunders, the man who wept when he was traded to the Diamondbacks, has made fans weep this entire spring, and last night was the biggest cry-fest of all.  In a game that Saunders needed to pitch well he fell flat. 

After being inconspicuously omitted when Kirk Gibson was naming the starters earlier in the week the pressure was on Saunders to have a quality outing and show that he deserves to be one of the five.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Last Year: 65-97, 5th in NL West 

Manager: Kirk Gibson

PROJECTED LINEUP

C- Miguel Montero (L)

1B- Juan Miranda (L)

2B- Kelly Johnson (L) 

3B- Melvin Mora (R)

SS- Stephen Drew (L)

LF- Xavier Nady (R)

CF- Chris Young (R)

RF- Justin Upton (R)

Preview

The Diamondbacks have recently been in contact with the Texas Rangers about acquiring third baseman Michael Young, however it appears as though no serious talks have since proceeded. It was recently reported that the Rangers would be willing to pay half of his remaining $48 million contract, or $16 million per season through 2013.